North Carolina Air Conditioning & Heating Blog

What’s the deal with smart thermostats?

Smart thermostats are all the buzz these days, with names like Nest and Ecobee popping up in the world of heating and cooling, including in the communities we service in Outer Banks and Raleigh, NC.

In short, smart thermostats' claim to fame is that they're programmable and can help you reduce your energy spending.

But that begs the question: isn't this just a matter of smart programming? Couldn't you reap the rewards of a smart thermostat without investing in one?

Let's break it down for you.

Smart thermostats in North Carolina - worth the investment?

First, let's go over some basics. A regular thermostat lets you adjust the temperature in your home by serving as the control panel for your heating and air conditioning system. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature, and change it based on the time of day.

A smart thermostat can actually learn from your behaviors, allow you to control your home's climate from any remote location, can show you energy consumption in real-time, and can adjust themselves based on external and unseen factors, such as humidity.

For example, you can "tell" your smart thermostat to shut off after you leave for work, and then jump back into action in just enough time to get your house comfortable before you return home. Most smart thermostats will show you how long it takes to make the change you've requested. This can give you a glimpse into how truly effective your climate control system really is.

You can also manage your thermostat from your phone or a web app, meaning if you're stuck in traffic or delayed in getting home, you can remotely tell your thermostat not to jump back into action until later.

Understanding the types of smart thermostats available for homeowners and business owners in Raleigh and Outer Banks

The type that learn automatically from your behavior and adjust accordingly (thus never need to be programmed)

The type that offer internet connectivity for remote management and programming

The best models fall into both categories.

Nest, for example, is one of the models that falls into both categories. It combines a sharp-looking design and bright LCD that provides useful data with powerful remote management tools to help you reduce your energy costs.

It's also a learning thermostat that can sense when someone is home, whether the air is getting humid, or if the oven's been turned on. It'll then adjust itself accordingly.

It might be the pioneer in smart thermostats, but it's not alone. Ecobee, Honeywell and others offer similar features.

Here's the catch: Smart thermostats tend to be expensive. The Nest retails at $250, while the Ecobee varies between $200 and $500. And while many of these thermostats are designed to be easy for you to install on your own, they're not necessarily plug-and-play, so you should factor in the cost of having it installed - and getting some training on it - into the picture.

Is a smart thermostat right for your North Carolina home? The only way to tell for sure is to let our technicians offer a consultation. We'll determine your needs, budget, and home environment. We'll then let you know if a smart thermostat is worth your while and, if so, which model might work best for you.